| MODEL | HONDA VTR 1000F FIRESTORM 1997 |
| Year | 1997 |
| Engine Type | Four stroke, 90° V-twin, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder |
| Displacement / Capacity | 996 cc / 60.8 cu in |
| Bore X Stroke | 98 x 66 mm / 3.86 x 2.60 in |
| Compression Ratio | 9.4:1 |
| Cooling System | Liquid cooled |
| Max Power | 80.2 kW / 110 hp @ 9000 rpm |
| Max Torque | 97 Nm / 71.5 lb-ft @ 7000 rpm |
| Ignition | Computer-controlled digital transistorised |
| Induction | 2 x 48 mm Keihin CV carburettors |
| Start System | Electric |
| TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
| Lubrication | — |
| Gear Box | 6-speed |
| Clutch | Wet multiplate, hydraulically operated |
| Final Drive | Chain |
| CHASSIS SPECS | |
| Frame | Aluminium twin spar (semi-pivotless, engine as stressed member) |
| Front Suspension | 41 mm H.M.A.S. cartridge fork, adjustable preload and rebound damping, 109 mm / 4.3 in travel |
| Rear Suspension | Pro-Link, gas-charged H.M.A.S. damper, adjustable preload and rebound damping, 124 mm / 4.9 in travel |
| Front Brakes | 2 x 296 mm discs, 4-piston calipers |
| Rear Brakes | Single 220 mm disc, 1-piston caliper |
| DIMENSION SPECS | |
| Overall Length | — |
| Overall Width | — |
| Overall Height | — |
| Seat Height | 810 mm / 31.9 in |
| Wheelbase | 1430 mm / 56.3 in |
| Ground Clearance | — |
| Dry Weight | 192 kg / 423 lbs |
| Wet Weight | 209 kg / 460 lbs |
| WHEEL SPECS | |
| Front Tyre | 120/70 ZR17 |
| Rear Tyre | 180/55 ZR17 |
| FUEL SYSTEM | |
| Fuel Capacity | 16 Litres / 4.2 US gal |
| Fuel Consumption | 5.8 L/100 km / 17.2 km/l |
| Top Speed | 248 km/h / 154 mph |
Photo: Ocdp, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Photo: Ocdp, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The 1997 VTR1000F Firestorm (Super Hawk in the US) was Honda's first big road-going V-twin sports bike, built as a softer, more road-friendly answer to Ducati's 916. Its 996 cc 90-degree twin breathed through 48 mm carburettors, then the largest on a production bike, and sat in a semi-pivotless aluminium frame with side-mounted radiators. With a half fairing and strong midrange torque it suited fast road riding more than the track, though the small 16-litre tank limited range.
